The secret cave where Shen Li was hiding had always been safe.
But that night, danger came quietly.
Four assassins in red cloaks moved like shadows. They were fast. They were deadly. They were sent to kill Shen Li.
And with them came a woman known as The Scarlet Whisper. She wore a white bone mask and didn't carry any weapons.
She was the weapon.
---
đ„ Boom! Alarm in the Cave
An explosion shook the walls.
BOOM!
Lights flashed. Someone had broken into the outer cave.
Shen Li jumped up from where he was training. His swords were in his hands in seconds.
Yue Qian ran in, fire burning in her eyes. "They're here," she said.
Yan Su followed behind, blood on his shoulder. "Red Talon Assassins. Strong. Fast. Their leader is Tier 5!"
Shen Li didn't blink. He nodded.
"We fight."
---
âïž The First Battle
One assassin jumped from the roof.
SWOOSH!
Shen Li blocked the attack with both swords. His power explodedâlight and dark spinning around his body.
CLANG!
The assassin flew back, blood on his face.
Another one came. Then two more. They attacked from the shadows.
But Shen Li was ready.
He used his new skill â Spiral Deflection â to block every hit.
Then he spun and shouted, "NOW!"
Yue Qian stepped forward and threw out both hands.
WHOOSH!!!
Silver fire blasted out like a wave. One of the assassins screamed and burned up.
The others jumped back.
---
đ€ The Leader Appears
Then⊠everything went quiet.
A cold wind blew in the cave.
She walked in.
The Scarlet Whisper.
She didn't run. She didn't rush. She just stared at Shen Li through her bone mask.
"You," she said softly. "You're not supposed to be alive."
Then she disappeared.
"LOOK OUT!" Shen Li shouted.
SWISH! A blade of red energy appeared behind him.
He blockedâbarely. His arm shook from the power of the hit.
She struck again.
SLASH! Blood ran down Shen Li's side.
"Danger! High-level attack. Core damage: 12%."
Still, Shen Li stood strong.
"You're fast," he said. "But I'm not the same as before."
---
đ„ Final Strike
Yue Qian wanted to help, but the Whisper threw a curse at her.
She froze, unable to move.
"Don't move," the Whisper said coldly. "This is between me and him."
But Shen Li smiled.
"Wrong," he said. "This is between you and both of us."
He closed his eyes. The power inside him started spinning faster.
Light and darkness mixed.
đ„đ„ BOOM!!! đ„đ„
A huge wave of power exploded from his bodyâSoulfract Spiral!
The Whisper's mask cracked.
Her eyes went wide. "Whatâ!?"
He dashed forward.
SLASH!!!
His sword cut through her defenses. Her mask broke fully.
She was bleeding.
But instead of attacking again, she vanished into thin air.
She had escaped.